Terms
of Reference:

to review the
existing approach, strategies, priorities; the on-going policies
and programmes and their implementation for the welfare, development
and empowerment of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and suggest rationalization,
minimization of the on-going programmes and effective inter-sectoral
convergence;

to identify
neglected areas and groups; gaps weakness and bottlenecks in the
implementation; and take note of the persisting and emerging problems'
situations related to welfare, protection, development and empowerment
of SCs in the changing socio-economic situation and suggest necessary
interventions:

to review the
progress of the implementation of Special Component Plan (SCP) to
ensure flow of 'population - proportionate' funds from other developmental
sectors and utilization of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to SCP
and suggest necessary measures to improve their effectiveness:

to review the
implementation of the existing legislations related to SCs and mechanisms
for their enforcement and suggest corrective measures',

to review the
functioning of the existing Institutional Arrangements, both at
the Central and State levels for implementation of policies and
programmes for empowering SCs and suggest measures to make them
more effective;

to review and
assess the involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions ' Local Self
Government Bodies and NGOs in the implementation of programmes for
empowering SCs and suggest specific measures for their effective
involvement in planning process ; and

to review the
physical and financial achievements in relation to the targets fixed
under various programmes for SCs during the Ninth Plan and project
programme-wise requirements, both physical and financial for Empowering
the Scheduled Castes during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07).

The
Chairman of the Working Group, if necessary, may constitute Sub-Groups
on any specific area / problem and also co-opt additional Members.

The
expenditure on TA/DA in connection with the meetings rtf the Working
Group will be borne by the parent Department / Ministry Organization
to which the officers belong. Non-official members will be entitled
to TA / DA as admissible' to Grade-I Officers of the Government of
India and this will be paid by the Planning Commission.

The Working Group
shall submit its Report positively by 28th February 2001.